RUGBY NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 49, 16 May 1934, Page 5

RUGBY NOTES

PONEKE 9; HUTT 6. Scorers for Hutt: Lilburne and E. Neal, a penalty goal each. Hutt failed to maintain their unbeaten record on Saturday last in falling to Poneke at Athletic Park by a margin of three ponts. On the day, Hutt were outplayed by a better team. The Poneke forwards gave a finished exhibition of rucking, scrummaging and line out play. They played inoro intelligently than the Hutt pack, gradually wearing down the opposition until they were masters of the situation. With their forwards in the ascendancy the Poneke 'backs came into the picture, eventually scoring the winning and only try of the match. The winners were well served at the 'base of the scrum by Julian who played an outstanding game. One could not help but notice the amount of protection he was given by his forwards who made it comparatively easy for him to get the ball away without inftcrfcreiiee. It showed that they realised that protection for their half is essential if the backs arc to function properly and further that every forward was watching the ball ind not working blindly. -On the other hand Hutt's half received practically no protection M'ith the result that, he either got caught in possession or sent out a delayed pass which meant trouble for the rest of the backs. In the first spell Hutt had several opportunities to get their back line working but instead of getting the ball out to the threequarter line the iusides tried too much on their own. Poneke 'a weakness appeared to be at centre threequarter and Neal should have been wiven more opportunities _to bieak. through at this point. Nees appeared to be the most, dangerous winger on the ground and whenever possible the ball should have been got out to him. It is time Hutt realised that they have a splendid threequarter line which must be fed if the team is to win matches. If the three quarters cannot do any good then it will be time enough for the insides to try and make openings. Spencer at half certainly had au off day, probably due to a certain extent to the amount of attention he received from the opposing pack, but the backs received the ball often enough in the first spell to have produced better form. In the second half the Hutt forwards seemed to lose their sting and were beaten for the ball in all departments. Lack of weight in the sciuni gave the hooker no chance of competing ou even terms with his opponent with the result that Hutt could not get the ball when they wanted it, particularly so during the last ten minutes. Having this in mind one could not understand scrums being taken to give the other side possession. For all round work the best of the Hutt forwards were Roberts, Lynch, Coulston and Neal. Barry went well while his condition lasted. Owing to the abscce of Stevenson, Saulbrey and Wilsou each had a spell as rover, but neither made a success of it. The former knew

nothing about the job, which is not to be wondered at, but the latter has had previous experience, but was inclined to wait for the opposition to make mistakes instead of forcing them into ; errors. Stevenson's services would | have made all the difference to the side as his penchant for spoiling work and covering other people's mistakes would have had ample scope during the day. Geo. .Roberts was an absentee through being out of town and there is no doubt the scrum work suffered by his absence. The outstanding backs were Jarman, Nees and Neal'. Ball also played very safely and had quite a busy time Holding cross kicks under difficulties. The defeat should not do the team any harm, in fact it should be benelicial if note is taken of the defects which were apparent in Saturday's game. There will be a further opportunity to rehabilitate themselves in the eyes of Athletic Bark patrons this week when they will, meet the much improved Athletic team. Eepoits indicate that a fast and hard workingpack will be required to maintain the pace which Athletic are capable of setting ... OTHER RESULTS. Senior B.——Athletic It, Hutt 11. Junior.— Wellington College Old Boys -0, Hutt 3. ' Third.—Hutt 27, Karori 0. Fourth A.—Wellington 11, Hutt 0. Fourth B.—Hutt 10, St. Pats 0.8. 0. Fifth. —Hutt 4, Miramar o. Sixth.—-Hutt 47, Eastbourne 0. Seventh —Hutt 42, Johnsonville B 0. NOTES. The iinest movement of the day in the Hutt Poneke game was staged by Hutt and fully deserved the great burst of applause accorded by the crowd. From a kick off by Poneke Coulston lielded the ball and threw a long pass in iield where it was snapped up by Liltburne being handled in turn by Killeen, Neal and Ball who ran down to half way where Wilson received it to pass to Lilbunie to S. Neal, Lynch and Barry who passed to Nees, the wingei being forced out near the corner, ihe ball was handled eleven times and had the defence properly tangled. Hutt patrons will no doubt wonder why Hutt are to play on Athletic Park again this week. No doubt the Rugby Union rightly consider that Athletic liavc earned the right to play at Headquarters after their fine showing against Eastbourne. Those who do not wish to go to town can witness the elash between Petone and Poneke at Petone. , .

J. Saulbrcy lost his bag containing football gear in Wellington on Saturday evening. Any information as to its whereabouts would be welcomed by the secretary. The jersey has No. 18 sewn on the back- " About a fortnight ugo some Hut player purchased a pair of football socks in the Union Clothing Co., Lamb-

ton Quay, and left some money behind, which can be had on application by naming the amount. We have-to acknowledge with thanks a donation of £1 from Mr 8. Bryant. The attendance at the fortnightly dance was again most satisfactory and the success of these functions qow appears to be assured. The capable management plus the popularity of Frank Crowther's orchestra appears to be fully appreciated by those patronising the dances. Supporters looked in vain for that second spell finish against Poneke. Occasionally two or • three players would break away but the concerted effort of the previous .week was lacking. The up and under method of attack is not likely to be successful unless the leather is kicked high and deep enough to clear the opposing forwards. The object of this kick is to have your men going full speed ahead to bustle the defending iacks. When the attacking players have to pull up and wait for the ball to come down the. whole object of the attack is defeated. The following up of the senior forwards was not good against Ponelte. Forwards who can bustle the opposing backs by fast and consistent following up are an asset to any team. The success of Old Boys can be attributed to their bustling pack.

HINTS FOR COACHES OF LOWER GRADES. Co-ordination Between Backs and Forwards. No team can hope to attain championship honours if there is a lack of understanding between backs and forwards. A well coached forward team with a good hooker andjine out forwards to gain possession, backed up by a moderate set of backs will often fare better than teams possesiug brilliant individual players who lack understanding of one another's play. Firstly the forwards should be given scrum work —more scrum work and still more scrum work. Until this is perfect and every man is pushing properly and at the right time (this is important) little headway can be made. The correct time to apply the push is when the ball leaves the half back's hands. The coscerted effort will often give possession by pushing the opposing scrum away from the ball. Have your halt' back practise with the scrum and develop au understanding with his forwards. Devise code words which can be used when he requires the ball to be held or heeled. The next phase of play .vhich requires assiduous practise is the line out work. Have your wings and half practising with the forwards here also. Too often the wings do not know which player to throw the bah to. Institute a system of numbers or names for the forwards and make sure your wings and half memorise them properly. The half usually acting under Instructions from his skipper will indicate to the wings and the forwards who the ball is to go to. Only the player indicated should jump for the ball — the other forwards will instantly pack

round, if it is desired to keep the'play tight, and act as a scrum —or the player in possession can feed it direct to his backs. What tactics to adopt will depend of course whether you arc in an attacking or defensive position. It is important for forwards to remember that to gain possession of the ball' and barge head iirst into your oponeiits. will most likely result in them gaining the leather as they will take it away from the man in possession. Go in with your back to your opponents. You are then in a better position to get it away to your 'backs —or can give possession to own forwards by dropping on the ground for them to heel out. or to use the hand to hand short passing. If it is desired to open up play from long line outs see that your most intelligent forwards are used —men who can make the best use of the opportunities ottering. I Other aspects of forward play such as positions to take up when the opponents kick oil', following up, dribbling, etc., will be dealt with later.